Healthy Living Messages

• Be Physically Active
• Eat Wisely
• Strive for a Healthy Weight
• Get Recommended Screening Tests & Immunizations
• Be Involved in Your Health Care
• Be Tobacco Free
• Limit Alcohol
• Manage Stress
• Be Safe
  

June 2012

Be Safe—Prevent Falls and Drive Safely:  There are actions you can take to protect yourself and those you love from harm. Common safety issues are sexually transmitted infections, falls, and motor vehicle crashes.

• Be Safe: A Healthy Living Message
• Resource Document 
• Taking Care to Prevent Falls 
• Distracted Driving 
• Motorcycle Safety 

Department of Veterans Affairs Resources

Preventing Falls:
VHA National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS)

• NCPS Falls Prevention Toolkit
  A variety of resources for staff that includes educating patients, family, and staff on falls and fall-injury prevention.
  

Safe Driving:

• Safe Driving Initiative Materials
  These materials provide information on the Veterans’ Safe Driving Initiative, safe driving, and how to prevent motor vehicle crashes.
  
• Safe Driving Resources
  These materials from the Department of Transportation and the Food and Drug Administration provide information about how to drive safely, including driving with various health conditions.
  
  

Federal Government Resources
You are now leaving the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)

• Preventing Falls Among Seniors
  Find tips on how to lower your chances of falling.
  
  Falls risk for older adults
  
  
• Healthfinder®
  Healthfinder.gov is a website provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services. This website has a wide range of health topics selected from over 1,600 government and non-profit organizations to bring you the best, most reliable health information on the Internet.


Specific information related to lowering your risk for falls

For preventing falls in children, go to: http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/falls/falls-prevention-tips.html or http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/children.html

 

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released its final recommendation statement on the Prevention of Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. The recommendation applies to those who are at an increased risk for falling, but do not live in assisted living or nursing homes. Read the full recommendation statement and evidence report.

A fact sheet that explains the recommendation statement in plain language is also available on this Web page.

 

U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Learn more about many ways to prevent motor vehicle crashes.
Learn more about the dangers of distracted driving.
Motorcycle safety awareness.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Helmets save lives.